Small Noncoding RNA-Based Regulation of Plant Immunity

Abstract

Plant pathogens trigger massive changes in plant gene expression in the host as a result of transcriptional reprogramming. This activates several defense-related pathways such as hormonal imbalances, signal transduction, induction of defense-related proteins, ROS generation, small RNA expression, etc.; small RNA regulates myriad biological processes in several eukaryotes constituting a vital group of gene expression regulators. Among all, plants utilize small noncoding RNA machinery as a crucial means to respond and defend against pathogens by regulating immune-responsive genes. In turn, phytopathogens have evolved various effector molecules such as proteins and recently discovered sRNAs of fungal origin delivered into host cells to suppress plant immunity, to counter-defend the effect of host small RNA machinery. The significance of the small RNA-mediated plant defense response during plant-pathogen interaction have been well-established. Here, we discuss findings on noncoding small RNAs (sRNAs) from plants and pathogens, which regulate host immunity and pathogen virulence.